Modular living wall component and system

ABSTRACT

A modular living wall component is able to be used with other modular living wall components in order to form a living wall or other architectural structure. The modular living wall component may be attached to an existing support structure or alternatively be used in order to form a free standing structure. The modular living wall components are able to provide simple irrigation and replacement of components.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The field of the invention is related to architectural structures. In particular the present invention is related to a modular system for providing living walls.

2. Description of the Related Technology

Green technology is a growing trend throughout the world. Concern with climate change and the effect of pollution on the environment has encouraged a global movement towards more environmentally friendly technology. One implementation of green oriented technology is evidenced in the incorporation of plants in architectural structures and designs.

Architectural structures are typically utilitarian in nature and often have limited aesthetic appeal. In order to capture the spirit of green oriented technology some structures have been created that implement living plants in the design. Typically these structures have been simple structures that use conventional hanging plant displays. These standard types of structures provide flora, but they do not permit expansion, easy replacement and have limited versatility. Furthermore, these standard types of displays fail to provide moisturizing systems for soil based plants.

Therefore there exists a need in the field to provide a method and system to form living walls that are easily expandable, permit easy replacement of plants, easy replacement of parts, provide ample versatility for the formation of structures and to provide a continuing source of moisture.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is a modular living wall component for containing plants.

Another object of the present invention is a plurality of modular living wall components used to form a living wall.

Still yet another object of the present invention is a living wall adapted for easy maintenance and upkeep.

An aspect of the present invention is a modular living wall component comprising: a container for holding a plant; an upper frame located above the container; and wherein the upper frame comprises hinge receivers, wherein hinge spacers are located in the hinge receivers.

Still yet another aspect of the present invention is a modular living wall comprising; a plurality of modular living wall components adapted for holding a plurality of plants; wherein a least one of the modular living wall components comprises; a first container; an upper frame located above the first container; a lower frame located below the first container; and wherein the upper frame is adapted to receive the first container and the lower frame is adapted to receive a second container located below the first container.

These and various other advantages and features of novelty that characterize the invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed hereto and forming a part hereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, its advantages, and the objects obtained by its use, reference should be made to the drawings which form a further part hereof, and to the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there is illustrated and described a preferred embodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the modular living wall component made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 a shows a perspective view of the front side of the modular living wall component.

FIG. 2 b shows a perspective view of the rear side of the modular living wall component.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the modular living wall component.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the modular living wall component taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the modular living wall component taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a bottom-up view of the modular living wall component shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a top-down view of the modular living wall component shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the modular living wall component shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the hinge used in the modular living wall component.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the key used in the modular living wall component.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the special lock used in the modular living wall component.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the flexible tube used in the modular living wall component.

FIGS. 13 a and 13 b are front and rear perspective views of the clamp supports used on the modular living wall component.

FIGS. 14 a and 14 b are front and rear perspective views of the container used with the modular living wall component.

FIG. 15 shows a living wall in various stages of construction and employing an optional hinge.

FIG. 16 shows another view of a living wall.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)

The usage of living walls provides a number of benefits such as reduced air pollution through the uptake of harmful airborne chemicals by plants. Living walls may also be referred to as green walls or vertical gardens. Living walls may improve health when placed along public transportation ways. The walls may also provide improved psychological effects due to the prevalence of flora. Additionally, living walls reduce the amount of heat that is typically produced by bare concrete structures. Modular living wall components also reduce noise penetration from outside sources. This is particularly valuable near airports or close to transport corridors. By the term “living”” it is meant to imply any organic and biologically based creature. A “wall component” is any of the components described below that may be attached, arranged or linked together; more than one component can form a “wall” as used herein.

The initial costs of installing the living walls are quickly recuperated. Usage of the modular living wall components reduces evaporation because water is supplied directly to the roots of plants. With the modular living wall components the irrigation system is installed in separated compartments, not in the plant soil, thereby permitting easy inspection and maintenance. The specially designed drip irrigation system keeps the plants placed in the modular living wall component 10 constantly moist. Water may be supplied along the sides of the living wall via flexible soaker hoses which may then be connected to the horizontal feeds which run throughout the frames located above the containers. The hose may either be fed by a tank or may be connected to an outside source such as a public water supply. The modular living wall 100 is shown, partially constructed, in FIGS. 15 and 16.

The modular living wall component 10 further permits plants to be removed individually for weeding, replacement, inspection, and for replacing the plant itself so that the living wall may be changed in appearance. The design of the modular living wall component 10 further allows easy plant maintenance.

The modular living wall component 10 may be used indoors or outdoors and may provide a buffer from city noise. The plants in the modular living wall components 10 may absorb gaseous pollutants through photosynthesis and airborne particulates may be trapped in the leaves. The presence of plants may also improve air quality. Furthermore, the plants may exchange gases thereby adding oxygen to the air and reducing smog.

Additionally the usage of the modular living wall components 10 may lower overall costs versus the usage of the conventional hanging plant displays. The initial costs of the modular living wall components 10 are quickly recuperated through immediate savings on upkeep, maintenance and by achieving longer plant life due to controlled moisturizing. Additionally significant fossil fuel energy savings may be achieved through insulation. Reduced energy cost savings can be from 7% to 8% in industrial applications.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding structure throughout the views, and referring in particular to FIGS. 1-8, wherein views of the modular living wall component 10 are shown.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the modular living wall component 10 made in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The modular living wall component 10 may be one of a plurality of modular living wall components 10. Each of the modular living wall components 10 may be arranged in order to form a wall or other similar architectural structure that can then provide the benefits discussed above. Individual modular living wall components 10 may be replaced separately from each other or be provided maintenance separately from each other. In other words if there is an issue or problem with one individual modular living wall component 10, the entire structure does not need to be replaced, which is beneficial fox a living wail.

The modular living wall component may comprise an upper frame 36(a) and a lower frame 36(b). It should be understood that while frames 36(a) and 36(b) are described herein as upper and lower that is for ease of understanding. Upper frame 36(a) may additionally serve and function as the lower frame for another modular living wall component 10 that is located above it. Likewise the lower frame 36(b) may function as the upper frame for another container. If there is no container 20 located below another container 20 then lower frame 36(b) would not be necessary. In the embodiment shown in the FIGS. only the upper frame 36(a) is intimately attached to the container 20 via male inserts 53 which engage the two female receptacles 54 located on the upper frame 36(a).

The upper frame 36(a) and the lower frame 36(b) each have flanges 16 which extend from the sides 31 of the upper and lower frames 36(a) and 36(b). The flanges 16 may be used to attach the frames 36(a) and 36(b) to a support structure when the optional hinge system employing hinge 29 is not used, or alternatively may be used in conjunction with the optional hinge system.

Proximate to the flange 16 and located in the sides 31 of the frames 36(a) and 36(b) are inlets 9 for the flexible tube 14. Flexible tube 14 is shown in detail in FIG. 12. Inlets 9 are sized and shaped to accommodate the flexible tube 14. The flexible tube 14 is adapted to accommodate the inflow of water for the housed plants in order to provide irrigation. The flexible tube 14 provides a continuing water line between the modular living wall components 10. In the examples shown in the drawings each of the flexible tubes 14 may be about 16″. However, it should be understood that the size of the flexible tubes 14 is adapted to the overall size of the container 20 to which it provides water. A soaker hose 51, shown in FIG. 16, is strung out over the tops of the containers 20 and the flexible tube 14 is located where two modular living wall components 10 meet. The flexible tube 14 is connected between upper and lower frames 36(a) and 36(b). The flexible tube 14 does not permit water to seep between containers 20. The soaker hose 51 is strung through the flexible tube 14 and through the frames 36(a) and 36(b). The moisture from the soaker hose drips through the frames 36(a) and 36(b) and into the container 20. It should be understood that the moisture drips from the frame that is acting as the upper frame 36(a) into the container 20 located directly below it. In the locations where the soaker hose is strung through the flexible tubing 14, there is no dripping since the flexible tubing 14 is solid and not soaker enabled in the embodiments shown in the FIGS. (i.e. there are no holes in the flexible tubing 14).

Shown on the upper frame 36(a), and the lower frame 36(b) are hose channel 34 and excess water channel 35. The hose channel 34 accommodates the passage of the soaker hose 51. The excess water channel 35 is divided into eight compartments that add additional strength to the frame 36(a). Excess water from the containers 20 enters the excess water channel 35. This may occur through the holes 17 located in the bottom of the container 20, which are aligned with the individual compartments located in the excess water channel 35.

Located on the upper frame 36(a) and the lower frame 36(b) are hinge receivers 22 and 27. The hinge receivers 22 are located on the right hand side of the lower and upper frames 36(a) and 36(b) when facing the front side of the modular living wall component 10. The hinge receivers 27 are located on the left hand side of the modular living wall component 10 when facing the front side of the modular living wall component 10.

The hinge receivers 22 receive hinge spacers 12(a). Hinge spacer 12(a) may be of any size provided that it may accommodate the size and shape of the container 20 when used in conjunction with hinge spacer 12(b) and hinge 29. Hinge spacer 12(a) is inserted into the hinge receiver 22 located on the upper frame 36(a) and the hinge receiver 22 located on the lower frame 36(b).

Hinge receivers 27 receive hinge spacers 12(b) and the hinge 29. Hinge spacer 12(b) may be of any size provided that it may accommodate the size and shape of the container 20 when used in conjunction with hinge spacer 12(a) and hinge 29. Hinge spacer 12(b) is inserted into the hinge receiver 27 located on the lower frame 36(b) and the hinge 29 which is placed into hinge receiver 27 located on the upper frame 36(a).

Rotatable hinge 29, shown in detail in FIG. 9, has an extending bracket 41 and mounting bracket 43. Rotatable hinge 29 is an optional component and is used to hold a wood or steel stud. The rotatable hinge 29 enables the container 20 to be rotated up to 30° around the axis of the rotatable hinge 29 in a backwards direction, i.e. away forward facing portion of the living wall 100. This permits the modular living wall component 10 to be used in green walls that extend around columns. The arc of the rotation is illustrated by the arrow. Extending bracket 41 is connected to the mounting bracket 43 and extends the placement of the container 20 from the structure to which the modular living wall component 10 is mounted. Mounting bracket 43 is placed on the structure itself. The modular living wall component 10 may be one of a plurality of modular living wall components 10 which together form a green wall. The modular living wall component 10 together with the other modular living wall components 10 may be either free-standing or mounted to a structure that is separated from the modular living wall components 10.

There may also be a clamp support 24, shown in detail in FIGS. 13 a and 13 b, which may be attached to the container rear portion 39 for mounting to structure, such as metal or wooden frames. The clamp support 24 may additionally be adjustable so as to control the tilt of the container 20.

Frames 36(a) and 36(b) are sized and shaped to accommodate a container rear portion 39. The accommodation of the container rear portion 39 permits plant holding spaces 15 to be fully visible from the outside.

The container 20, shown in FIGS. 1-8 and shown in detail in FIGS. 14 a and 14 b, is able to accommodate two plants in the plant holding spaces 15. The plant holding spaces are separated by the divider 13. While two plants may be held in the container 20 it is possible to provide additional plant holding spaces 15 depending upon the overall design of the product. The container 20 has two female receptacles 54 which are size and shaped to accommodate the male inserts 53 that are located on the upper frame 36(a). The container 20 is sloped in the front so that soil contained therein is kept from spilling out. In FIG. 1, the angle θ is about 40°, but may be within a range of 25°-55°.

Key 11, shown in detail in FIG. 10, is used to secure the container 20 to the frames 36(a), 36(b) to which all of the modular living wall components 10 are attached. The special lock 18, shown in detail in FIG. 11, is used to secure the container 20 to the frames 36(a), 36(b). However special lock 18 is used in areas where there is easy public access to the plant container 20. The special lock 18 requires a specially fitted tool in order to unlock it, this prevents theft from occurring. The keys 11 and the key 18 serve as additional methods of securing the container 20 to the frames 36(a), 36(b). The container 20 is initially secured by the male inserts 53 located on the frames 36(a), 36(b), which are fitted into female receptacles 54 which are part of the container 20. Male inserts 53 are rectangular in shape and may be seen in FIG. 1, while female receptacles 54 may be seen in FIG. 14 b However, wind, movement of the structure, etc. could possibly dislodge the container from the frame and therefore the keys provide additional stability.

FIG. 15 shows a living wall 100 in various stages of construction. The living wall 100 shows the frames 36(a)-36(d) connected to the hinge spacers 12(a), 12(b) with the modular living wall components 10 attached thereto. The modular living wall components 10 further comprise the containers 20 for the plants. The green wall 100 may be built around existing structures, attached to existing structures or exist as a standalone structure.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

1. A modular living wall component comprising: a container for holding a plant; an upper frame located above the container; and wherein the upper frame comprises hinge receivers, wherein hinge spacers are located in the hinge receivers.
 2. The modular living wall component of claim 1, further comprising a rotatable hinge adapted to permit the rotation of the container about the rotatable hinge.
 3. The modular living wall component of claim 2, wherein the container may be rotated up to 30° around the rotatable hinge.
 4. The modular living wall component of claim 2, wherein the rotatable hinge further comprises an extending bracket.
 5. The modular living wall component of claim 1, wherein the container comprise a plurality of plant holding spaces.
 6. The modular living wall component of claim 4, wherein a divider separates the plurality of plant holding spaces.
 7. The modular living wall component of claim 1, wherein the upper frame further comprises inlets adapted for receiving a flexible tube.
 8. The modular living wall component of claim 1, wherein a front of the container has a slope.
 9. The modular living wall component of claim 1, wherein the container further comprises a back portion and further comprising a clamp support attached to the back portion, wherein the clam support is adjustable so as to control tilt of the container.
 10. The modular living wall component of claim 1, further comprising a special lock adapted to secure the container.
 11. A modular living wall comprising; a plurality of modular living wall components adapted for holding a plurality of plants; wherein a least one of the modular living wall components comprises; a first container; an upper frame located above the first container; a lower frame located below the first container; and wherein the upper frame is adapted to receive the first container and the lower frame is adapted to receive a second container located below the first container.
 12. The modular wall of claim 11, further comprising hinge receivers, wherein hinge spacers are located in the hinge receivers.
 13. The modular wall of claim 11, further comprising a rotatable hinge adapted to permit the rotation of the container about the rotatable hinge.
 14. The modular wall of claim 13, wherein the first container may be rotated up to 30° around the rotatable hinge.
 15. The modular wall of claim 13, wherein the rotatable hinge further comprises an extending bracket.
 16. The modular wall of claim 11, wherein the first container comprise a plurality of plant holding spaces.
 17. The modular wall of claim 16, wherein a divider separates the plurality of plant holding spaces.
 18. The modular wall of claim 11, wherein the upper frame and the lower frame further comprise inlets adapted for receiving a flexible tube.
 19. The modular wall of claim 11, wherein a front of the first container has a slope.
 20. The modular wall of claim 11, wherein the container further comprises a back portion and further comprising a clamp support attached to the back portion, wherein the clam support is adjustable so as to control tilt of the container. 